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Team Shredded Wheat Racing with DUO focused on Independent advantage in Scotland

9th August 2017

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with DUO heads across the border looking to cement its Independent Championship advantage this coming weekend, as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship arrives in Scotland for its annual visit to Knockhill (August 12/13).

A monumental effort by the Motorbase-run squad to build a new Focus ST in time for the seventh meeting of the season sees the reigning Independent Teams' champions back up and running with a three car assault on the championship. As announced earlier this week, local Fife-based driver Rory Butcher joins Mat Jackson and Martin Depper in the #6 Ford, making his BTCC debut at his home circuit.

Two Independent race wins for Jackson last time out at Snetterton helped the Wrotham-based outfit extend its lead at the top of the Independent Teams standings. The 36-year-old has excellent form on the tight and twisty Fife track, and he'll be looking to add to his winning tally and close in on the Indy Drivers' championship during Sunday's three races.

"Knockhill as a circuit couldn't be much more different from where we were last time at Snetterton;" commented Team Manager Oly Collins. "We strengthened our lead in the Independent Teams' title last time out and the plan is to further extend that lead, but we're up against some serious competition.

"We've had pretty good performances at our last two race meetings and we're hoping that Knockhill will prove to be no different. Five podiums from the last 6 races is a decent set of results by anyone's standards."

Team-mate Depper continues to progress as he settles into his challenger. Narrowly missing out on a points finish in his last appearance, the espares-backed driver is eager to break into the top ten once more as the championship approaches the business end of the season.

Scotsman Butcher takes up the mantle in the third Motorbase-run car, driving the newly-completed Focus ST in anger for the first time on the 1.27 mile circuit. A new name on the BTCC grid, the 30-year-old comes from a successful sports car and GT racing background and is determined to make his mark in the touring car world.

"Knockhill is an outstanding circuit and always provides a fantastic race for the neutral;" added Collins. "We also welcome Rory to the BTCC Team this weekend, which we hope will provide us with some additional local knowledge.

"We worked with Rory on the GT side in the past and can't wait to work with him again. He's a hugely talented driver and has the perfect character to work alongside Mat and Martin in our BTCC campaign for the rest of the season. Keep an eye on him, as he won't take long at all to get to grips with the BTCC."

Rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship take place at Knockhill Circuit, Scotland on August 12/13. Race day coverage will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4 and via the ITVhub on Sunday 13th July from 11.00 – 18.15. Live streaming of Saturday's (August 12th) qualifying session between 16.10 – 16.40 is also available via itv.com/btcc

Mat Jackson #3:
"We're heading to Scotland in a good place. Knockhill is circuit that produces some really close racing and we know that the car is strong there and we're capable of challenging at the front. We've had great results there over the last couple of years with a few race wins under our belts, but with times so tight this season, the weekend really will hinge on a strong qualifying result.

"Obviously our aim this weekend - as always - is to get onto the podium and bag as many points as possible, but we also now have our eye on defending the Independent Teams title. It would be nice to come away from Scotland with an even bigger lead at the top of the Teams' standings and leading the Indy Drivers too."

Martin Depper #30:
"I'm looking forward to Knockhill. It's a circuit that I love and it'll be good to get our focus back on moving forward after a tough weekend at Snetterton. I haven't progressed as quickly as I had hoped to this season, but we're getting closer to finding a set-up on the Focus that works for me and I feel sure that once it all clicks, the results will follow. Hopefully we'll start to see some of those improvements this weekend."

Rory Butcher #6:
"It's really cool to be reunited with Motorbase. We had two good years together in GTs and it's great to be working with the guys again, it feels like getting the old band back together again!"

"I've only had a short test in the Focus so far and I had to really change my driving style to suit the car. I got some great assistance from Mat, Martin and the engineers and spent a lot of time going over the data and on board footage, but there's still a lot of learning to do there.

"One lap in a touring car is really exciting and I'm really looking forward to getting out there this weekend. The racing has been tighter than ever this year and Knockhill is known for its close racing and tough battles. That's a side of championship that I'll need to adapt to quickly; getting used to how cut-throat the racing is and making sure I get my elbows out! I'm up for the challenge though!"